From the professional critiques forum, the whole critique can be viewed under the Random House critiques for YouWriteOn Top Ten writers for January 2010.

I would also recommend you expand on your synopsis a little – if you come to submit your finished novel to an agent it’s absolutely crucial that your synopsis is of the highest possible standard and really sells your story so look at how you could expand on it now. I would suggest that you spend some time looking at the blurbs of books with a similar setting/feel so that you can see how they give you hints to the story that will unfold without giving away any of the plot twists.

To me it suggests that a blanket approach won't work. Most everyone wants something slightly different.

Shooting off six identical submissions to six agents or editors might not be the best use of your stamps or time.

Tailor submissions according to research.

Time spent in reconnaissance is rarely wasted.



Now and then I write:

http://www.mofanning.com

Erm ... that's what I said Now and then I write:

http://www.mofanning.com

I have been trying to think out of the box here and I don't know if my idea would work.

I've read and heard from several agents/publishers that the tone of synopsis, short or long, should reflect the tone of your story. If the novel is written for teens and YA with a transition to adults, would it be all right to write the synopsis from the angle of the target reader?

I was in the library yesterday in the teen section ('cause you really hear a lot of juicy stuff sitting in the teen section, especially if you're writing YA), and I overheard this girl telling this boy about a novel she just read. I mean, it was the perfect synopsis and I actually checked out the books (its a series) just from her recounting of it. Man, there was such enthusiasm and her summation got me quite curious.

Is there something wrong about approaching an editor or an agent with this same tone? Of course I would cut out the 'dude's' and the 'man' and the OMG, but really...

I wrote down what she said and applied it to my own story and it really spices up my synopsis using the teen voice.

Any suggestions or comments? I think it is sort of an original approach. Jen

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